Toothbrush rack



Oct. 3, 1961 R. E. HEISSER 3,002,630

TOOTHBRUSH RACK Filed May 24, 1960 Fig. 4

Robert E. He/sser INVIJNZ-"LIK.

BY W

ire States Patent 3,002,630 TOOTHBRUSH RACK Robert E. Heisser, Celina,Ohio (R0. Box 23, Boyne City, Mich.) Filed May 24, 1960, Ser. No. 31,3862 Claims. (Cl. 211-65) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in toothbrush racks or hangers for use particularly,although not necessarily, in hotels, motels, etc., and has for itsprimary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, adevice of this character comprising a holder which may be readilydisposed of for replace ment, thus promoting sanitation.

Another very important object of the present invention is to providenovel means for removably mounting the disposable holder on a wall orother suitable supporting surface.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sanitary, disposabletoothbrush holder of the aforementioned character which is comparativelysimple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight,attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush rack constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket;

FIGURE 3 is a view in front elevation of the device, showing atoothbrush mounted thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken sub stantially on the line44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the holder before it is folded.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises abracket of plastic or other suitable material which is designatedgenerally by the reference character 6. The bracket 6 which may also beof any desired dimensions, comprises a horizontally elongated, generallyrectangular plate 7. The back of the plate 7 is provided with anadhesive or cement coating 8 for securing said plate on a wall or othersuitable supporting surface, as indicated at 9.

Formed integrally with the longitudinal marginal portions of the plate 7is a pair of forwardly convergent flanges 10. Immediately adjacent tothe flanges 10, the front portion of the plate 7 has formed thereinlongitudinal rabbets 11. The rabbets 11, in turn, have formed thereinupwardly and downwardly facing grooves or channels 12 which are open atboth ends.

Removably mounted on the bracket 6 is a holder which is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 13. The holder 13 includes a generaly rectangular card, sheet or panel 14 of suitable foldable material,preferably waxed cardboard. The sheet 14 is scored on its longitudinalcenter from end to end to provide a fold line 15. The longitudinalmarginal portions of the sheet 14 are scored in a similar manner, asindicated at 16, to provide foldable flaps or flanges 17.

The sheet 14 has formed therein at spaced points a series of openings orslots 18 which intersect the fold or score line 15. The slots 18 includereduced or narrowed intermediate portions 19. The upper end portions ofthe slots 18 are covered by a removable protec- 3,002,630 Patented Oct.3, 1961 tive strip 20 of suitable material, preferably tissue paper,which is adhesively secured on the sheet 14 or, in the case of a waxedcardboard holder, heat-pressed into the wax on one side of the fold orscored line 15. One end portion of the protective strip 20 projectsbeyond the sheet 14 for providing a pull tab 21.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from aconsideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the flaps 17 are folded on thescored lines 16 to an acute angle to the sheet 14. The sheet 14 is thenfolded to a V-shape on the scored center line 15 thereof. The flaps 17are then inserted in the grooves 12 from one end thereof with thelongitudinal marginal portions of the sheet 14 abutting the convergentflanges 10. In this manner the holder 13 is removably mounted on thebracket 6. The protective strip 20 is then removed for fully exposingthe slots 18. To mount a conventional toothbrush as indicated at 22 onthe holder, the usual relatively narrow neck portion 23 of said brush isinserted edgewise in one of the slots 18. After passing the narrowintermediate portion 19 of the slot, the brush is turned degrees and isthus retained in the slot in an obvious manner. The sheet or card 14 isslightly tensioned when it is mounted on the bracekt 6 and frictionallyengages the flanges 10. Also, the flanges 10 retain the flaps 17 in thegrooves or channels 12.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toothbrush rack comprising a bracket including a plate for mountingon a wall, a pair of spaced, opposed, forwardly convergent flanges onsaid plate, said plate having rabbets therein adjacent the flanges, saidrabbets having oppositely opening grooves therein spaced from andopposed to the flanges, and a removable holder on the bracket, saidholder including a generally V-shaped card engaged between the flanges,and inturned flaps on the card slidably engaged in the grooves, saidcard having slots therein traversing its apex portion for the receptionof toothbrushes, said slots including restricted intermediate portionsfor retaining the toothbrushes therein.

2. Atoothbrush rack comprising a vertical wall plate having upwardly anddownwardly opening grooves therein, convergent flanges on the plate invertically spaced, opposed relation to and spaced from the grooves, anda holder removably mounted on the plate and including a generallyV-shaped, resilient card having certain of its marginal portions engagedunder tension between the flanges and comprising inturned flaps engagedin the grooves, said card further comprising means for mounting atoothbrush thereon.

References Cited in the file of this: patent UNITED STATES PATENTS448,359 Nichols Mar. 17, 1891 1,972,532 McMillan Sept. 4, 1934 2,059,858Ernst Nov. 11, 1936 2,161,855 Copell June 13, 1937 2,460,230 MakrianesIan. 25, 1949 2,639,081 Metzger May 18, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS H-19.924Germany May 3, 1956

